International Car Rentals

Tips on Renting a Car Overseas

For international car rentals, you may need to plan for higher fuel prices, different units of measure, currency conversion and age requirements as well as different traffic and insurance regulations in your destination country. Therefore, the rental car policies for international locations are specific for each country and sometimes location. If you make your reservation on line make sure to check out the rules and regulation specific to that country. If you call a company direct to make a reservation, the agent is required to let you know of any mandatory regulation information for that country. Here are some basic tips when renting a car overseas:

MINIMUM AGE

The minimum age for most countries is 25. Most will allow you to rent at a lower age, with an underage fee.

In Ireland there is a maximum age requirement. You must be 75 or under to rent or drive in that country.

ADDITIONAL DRIVERS

In the United States and Canada, many car rental companies will allow your spouse or signifigant other to drive your rental car with no extra fee. For an international car rental, there will be an additional driver fee for a spouse or anyone else who drives the car. All drivers must still show valid credit identification in order to rent or drive the vehicle. Not many international car rental locations will accept debit cards, so make sure to check.

For more information on Credit Identification, click here. To return back to this spot, just click your back browser button.

INSURANCE

If you select a basic rental rate your total price after tax will include value added tax (VAT), any location surcharges (like airport fees) and public liability insurance. For some countries the public liability is insurance is offered as a mandatory separate coverage. You may often have the option of an inclusive rate. This will include everything in the basic rate plus collision damage waiver (CDW) and theft protection for the rental vehicle. In North America you would purchase a LOSS damage that would include theft. International car rentals differ in that they offer these two coverages separately.

For most international rentals, the purchase of a collision damage waiver does not completely cover the rental car. Depending on the location and vehicle size there will be a deductible (or non-waivable excess) that you would have to pay, should you incur damages to the vehicle.

Some locations in some countries may offer a premium collison damage waiver package that would lower or eliminate your deductible. Check with the location at the time of rental if you are interested in this option.

Note: Theft protection is mandatory in the following: Italy, Hungary, and Macedonia.

Some credit cards may cover you in a rental car outside of North America. Check carefully for terms and conditions on this coverage. For more information on Credit Card coverages on a rental car, click here.


INTERNATIONAL DRIVERS PERMIT

Renters and additional drivers must hold a full driving license from their country of residence for a minimum of 12 months.

A U.S. or Canadian issued driver’s license is honored in most countries; however, there are countries where non-local driving licenses (in different languages or particularly in languages using a non-Roman alphabet, such as Chinese or Arabic) are not honored.

It is recommended that you carry an International Drivers Permit (IDP) for most international rentals. An IDP is written in 10 languages and serves as an officially recognized translation of your local driving license in over 150 participating members of the United Nations. Your IDP should always be accompanied by your valid local driver’s license and passport. The Permit has been widely used for more than fifty years and is recognized almost anywhere in the world. More information on international driving permits can be found at www.idlicense.com

CURRENCY

When you are checking rates, if your international rental price quote is presented in U.S. or Canadian dollars, keep in mind that the rental location will charge the equivalent in local currency. Keep in mind that the exchange rate you recieve will be the actual exchange rate on the day of pick up, not the day you reserved the vehilce. For a website where you can calculate currency exchange rates, you can visit www.xe.com/ucc/


Currency conversions can be tricky. Credit cards charge a fee for currency conversion; also if you are booking with a travel agency they may charge a fee as well. You can incur a lot of surcharges without even realizing it.

Any time you plan an international car rental it's important to check with your credit card and travel company to make sure you're using the payment option that will allow you to avoid any unnecessary surcharges.

CAR SIZES

Cars are generally smaller for international rentals. Think one size down from what you are used to! A midsize to you would be considered a full size overseas. The trunks are smaller as well. Most fleets internationally will offer manual as well as automatic transmission. Cars with manual transmission are usually cheaper.

ONE-WAY RENTALS

Renters may be permitted to drive the rental vehicle into neighboring countries based on the policies of the rental location and any laws regarding travel between countries.

RULES OF THE ROAD

Unlike North America, many countries have traffic laws where one must drive on the left-hand side of the road. The cars are built so that the driver sits on the left-hand side of the car.

For a list of countries where you must drive on the left, click here.

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